Democrats Outraged Over Rumors Trump May Dismantle USAID
President Donald Trump sparked intense backlash from Democrats after the USAID website unexpectedly went offline on Friday, fueling speculation that he intends to bring the agency under the control of the State Department.
Some even suspect that the president is considering dissolving USAID entirely—an idea welcomed by critics of extensive U.S. foreign aid programs.
Former CBS News journalist Lara Logan supported the move, alleging that USAID serves as a front for intelligence operations.
“Like I said before, USAID is a front for the CIA. And together with NGO’s like the Open Society Foundation, they have been using US tax dollars & govt resources as their personal piggy bank. It has been infuriating to watch. Hopefully now the whole truth will come out,” she stated on X.
Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul echoed this sentiment, calling for an end to foreign aid altogether.
“Abolish USAID and all foreign aid,” Paul declared in response to an X post from Senate Minority Leader and New York Sen. Charles Schumer, who was among the many Democrats condemning Trump’s rumored plan.
“Trump’s been purging and intimidating USAID employees. Now there’s a rumor he’ll dissolve USAID as an independent agency. It was created by JFK and established in law to further our national security and spread hope. This’d be illegal and against our national interests,” Schumer asserted.
However, few reacted as strongly as Democrat Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut.
“Let me explain why the total destruction of USAID – happening as we speak – matters so much. China – where Musk makes his money – wants USAID destroyed. So does Russia. Trump and Musk are doing the bidding of Beijing and Moscow. Why?” Murphy speculated on X without providing evidence.
“Over the last week, 50% of the Global Health Bureau and 60% of the Humanitarian Assistance Bureau have been fired. Aid programs everywhere have been closed. The U.S. is in full retreat from the world. Dystopian. No good reason for it,” he continued, appearing visibly distressed.
“The immediate consequences of this are cataclysmic. Malnourished babies who depend on U.S. aid will die. Anti-terrorism programs will shut down, and our most deadly enemies will get stronger. Diseases that threaten the U.S. will go unabated and reach our shores faster,” Murphy warned.
“And China will fill the void. As developing countries will now ONLY be able to rely on China for help, they will cut more deals with Beijing to give them control of ports, critical mineral deposits, etc. U.S. power will shrink. U.S. jobs will be lost,” the senator added.
“But Trump isn’t satisfied just to close programs and fire staff. He is now planning to ELIMINATE THE ENTIRE AGENCY. Maybe this weekend. a. That would be illegal. He cannot unilaterally close a federal agency. Another assault on the Constitution. b. Another gift to China!” Murphy exclaimed.
“But why? Why hand a victory to terrorists and China and Russia? Why kill babies intentionally? Who benefits when Trump is so soft on our enemies? Maybe billionaires like Musk who make $ in China? Maybe someone buying all that secret Trump meme coin? It all feels so corrupt,” Murphy continued in a lengthy tirade.
Despite claims from Schumer, Murphy, and other Democrats that Trump lacks the authority to dismantle USAID via executive order, historical precedent suggests otherwise, as the agency itself was established through executive action by President John F. Kennedy.
“President John F. Kennedy created USAID at the height of the Cold War to counter Soviet influence. Congress passed the Foreign Assistance Act in 1961, and Kennedy signed that law and an executive order establishing USAID as an independent agency,” CNN reported.
While repealing the Foreign Assistance Act would require legislative approval, restructuring or eliminating USAID as an independent entity could theoretically be accomplished through executive order.
“Live by executive order, die by executive order,” Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) head Elon Musk quipped on Saturday.